Modeling is putting flesh to idea – there is no other way to achieve the spectacular

I love the concept of modeling – taking an idea out for a spin to see how it works in the real world. Ideas never simply spring from mind to reality in a blinding flash. Our mental image of the world is not a real reflection of the world. Things that work in our heads often fail miserably in real life (this is why so many pick-up lines that men try, fail miserably when they actually attempt them).

Life is built on the mountain of our failures. Draft 1 is nothing but a failure that led to Draft 2 which is nothing but a failure that led to Draft 3 which is nothing but a failure that led to a Final Draft. In another light, these failures are actually successes because they got us to the next tollgate. But much of the time and effort spent on each step does not show value in the step that came after.

Some people get hung up on the idea that they might spend their time on something that never comes to fruition. They are not going to take on some project because it isn’t likely to happen. In fact, they are not even going to take an hour to see if they really understand it, because surely their gut is enough to know if it is real.

Modeling is the act of going through Draft 1 of an idea. It’s being willing to talk to someone about it. It’s being willing to put pen to a piece of paper to sketch out what it could be. It’s inviting others in to see what is likely a mistake. Modeling can often get messy fast because most ideas are not yet ready to live. But sometimes an idea flourishes in the light and becomes something spectacular.

You will never achieve the spectacular if you are not open to failing.